CVE-2026-43098

Description

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem, specifically within the s3fwrn5 driver. This vulnerability occurs when the driver attempts to consume bytes into a receive buffer (recv_skb) without ensuring a new buffer is allocated if the previous one was delivered. If the allocation of a new buffer fails, the recv_skb pointer can become NULL, leading to a NULL dereference during subsequent operations. A local attacker could exploit this memory corruption vulnerability to cause a system crash, resulting in a Denial of Service (DoS).

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

Availability

Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart

NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.

Integrity,Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory

In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

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